Abstract: The present invention provides a forward propulsion system for a wind driven vehicle which includes one or more of a mast or a mast sleeve having a pliant sheet coupler capable of orientation at a mast front with a pliant sheet extending from the pliant sheet coupler over either a mast first side or a mast second side to a connection behind the mast to achieve configurations which move the force vector of the airflow acting on the pliant sheet further toward the forward direction of the wind driven vehicle, as compared to conventional sail configurations, to increase forward thrust and forward velocity of the wind driven vehicle.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine, the igniter comprising: a center electrode; an insulator disposed about the center electrode; a ground shield disposed about the insulator, the insulator having a tip portion extending past an end portion of the ground shield and a tip portion of the center electrode extending through and away from the tip portion of the insulator; and a spark gap disposed between the tip portion of the center electrode and the end portion of the ground shield.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine, the igniter comprising: a center electrode; an insulator disposed about the center electrode; a ground shield disposed about the insulator, the insulator having a tip portion extending past an end portion of the ground shield and a tip portion of the center electrode extending through and away from the tip portion of the insulator; and a spark gap disposed between the tip portion of the center electrode and the end portion of the ground shield.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine, the igniter comprising: a center electrode; an insulator disposed about the center electrode; a ground shield disposed about the insulator, the insulator having a tip portion extending past an end portion of the ground shield and a tip portion of the center electrode extending through and away from the tip portion of the insulator; and a spark gap disposed between the tip portion of the center electrode and the end portion of the ground shield.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology provide a sail powered craft having a high power to weight ratio. A preferred embodiment may involve three masts connected together at the top of the craft and spread apart at the bottom to form a pyramid. Each mast may have a corresponding sail. In at least one embodiment, the front windward sail uses the craft's angle of attack to provide downforce on an upwind surfboard. The downwind front sail may create lift and forward thrust, thereby preventing the downwind board from submarining. Certain embodiments may also include an upside down main sail with a flying boom.

Abstract: An air/fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine to reduce emissions and increase engine efficiencies includes an ionization apparatus for detecting and measuring ionization within a combustion cylinder and generating an ionization signal based upon the ionization detection and measurements. Also included is an air/fuel ratio controller in electrical communication with the ionization apparatus. The controller receives the ionization signal and controls the air/fuel ratio in the engine based at least in part upon the ionization signal. In a preferred embodiment of the control system, the controller controls the air/fuel ratio based upon a first local peak in the ionization signal. In another embodiment, the controller controls the air/fuel ratio based upon maximizing the first local peak in the ionization signal.